Improvement in handles for saws



W.I.|. BEA'GAN.

` Handles for Saws. No.157,634.. Paxenrednemrm'lsm,

UNITED STATES PATENT Grrrcn.

WILLIAM J. REAGAN, OF ROYERS FORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HANDLES FOR SAWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,634, dated December8, 1874; application filed November 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. REAGAN, ofRoyers Ford, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, haveinvented certainImprovements in Handles for Saws, Sto., of which the following is aspecification:

The object of my invention is to so construct the handle of a saw orplane that it will be better adapted than an ordinary handle to the handof the operator; and this object I attain mainly by combining with thehandle a recess or socket, b, for'the thumb, as shown in theaccompanying drawing.

My invention is illustrated in its simplest form in the side view,Figure l, and plan view, Fig. 2, of part of an ordinary saw-handle,

which is constructed in the usual manner, excepting that a recess orsocket, b, is formed for the reception of the thumb of the operator, whocan grasp the handle in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and `4.

In grasping an ordinary sawhandle the thumb must be separated from theforefinger to the extent of the thickness of the said handle, and is notin the most comfortable position, as the inside of the first joint ofthe thumb must bear against and be more or less abraded by the side ofthe handle 5 and if an attempt be made to stretch out the thumb so Athatit can reach the upper edge of the handle,

it can only come in contact with the sharp edge of the same.

In manipulating a handsaw, in fact, the thumb contributes little ornothing from its second joint outward toward a lirm gripe of the handleby the hand, or to the exertion of the force demanded in operating thesaw. The socket b, which is `made of a convenient form for the thumb,permits the latter to assume the comfortable position shown in Figs. 3and 4, where it not only becomes` available as a contributing memberofthe hand in grasping the handle and operating the saw, but alsopermits the operator to adjust the palm of his 'hand more satisfactorilyto the gripe a of the handle than in grasping one of ordinaryconstruction.

It will be observed that in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4 the old guard d, forretaining the hand in a proper position on the handle, is retained; infact, the socket is formed partly in this guard, which, however, may,owing to the presence of the socket, be a comparatively small affair, asshown in the modification, Fig. 5.

In ordinary handles the gripe is rounded at the back, as shown in thesectional view, Fig. 7, so as to present a somewhat prominent rib, o,for the palm of the hand to bear against.

A much better shape is that shown in Fig.

6, where the most prominent part of the rear of the gripe is at the edgeyon the left side of the handle, from which edge the gripe is gentlyrounded on a curve, merging into the right side of the handle, thusaffording a surface far better adapted to the palm of the hand than thecomparatively abrupt ridge v above alluded to.

It will be evident, on referring to Fig. 9, that my invention isapplicable to the handles of planes, and that it can also be adoptedwith advantage in other tools which have to be grasped by the hand.

I claim as my inventionl. A.tool-handle provided with a recess, b,substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A saw-handle having a gripe, a, rounded at the' back from acomparatively abrupt edge,

y, on the left of the handle, and on a curve merging into the right sideof the handle, as herein set forth, and as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

WM. J. REAGAN.

